Hialeah Park

Lonely Planet review

Hialeah is more Havanan than Little Havana (more than 90% of the population speaks Spanish as a first language), and the symbol and center of this working-class Cuban community is this grand but endangered former racetrack. Although Seabiscuit and Seattle Slew once raced here, the last race was held in 2001, and since then a fight's been raging to keep this gem from being paved over.

The track was even the subject of pop culture protest in the form of the song 'Save Hialeah Park' by Los Primeros, a Hialeah-based Latin boy band in 2008. A walk through the grounds is recommended, if just to gaze at the grand staircases, pastel-painted concourse and listen for the long-stopped thunder of racing hooves. Look for the caps, boots and saddle carved into the window below the administration building and the oft-photographed central fountain.